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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Canada denies Winnie Mandela visa | Canada denies Winnie Mandela visa |
| (1 day later) | |
| Canada has denied a visa to the South African anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. | Canada has denied a visa to the South African anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. |
| The ex-wife of Nelson Mandela was to attend the premiere of an opera about her life - called The Passion of Winnie- in the city of Toronto. | The ex-wife of Nelson Mandela was to attend the premiere of an opera about her life - called The Passion of Winnie- in the city of Toronto. |
| In 1991 she was convicted of kidnapping and being an accessory to murder. | In 1991 she was convicted of kidnapping and being an accessory to murder. |
| Canadian authorities can refuse entry into the country on the grounds of a criminal record, although it is not clear that has happened in this case. | Canadian authorities can refuse entry into the country on the grounds of a criminal record, although it is not clear that has happened in this case. |
| Her application was turned down a day before she was to arrive in Toronto, for a gala fundraising dinner. | Her application was turned down a day before she was to arrive in Toronto, for a gala fundraising dinner. |
| The organisers, the arts group MusicaNoir, said they were devastated and do not know why her visa was withheld. | The organisers, the arts group MusicaNoir, said they were devastated and do not know why her visa was withheld. |
| They said Mrs Madikizela-Mandela's daughter and two security guards did receive visas. | They said Mrs Madikizela-Mandela's daughter and two security guards did receive visas. |
| The decision was made by the Canadian High Commission in South Africa. | |
| Canadian immigration officials in Ottawa have not given any reason why the visa application was denied. | Canadian immigration officials in Ottawa have not given any reason why the visa application was denied. |
| MusicaNoir pointed out that Mrs Madikizela-Mandela was permitted to visit the United States two weeks ago to receive an award for her work with Aids organisations. | MusicaNoir pointed out that Mrs Madikizela-Mandela was permitted to visit the United States two weeks ago to receive an award for her work with Aids organisations. |
| Known as one of South Africa's most famous anti-apartheid activists, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is also a controversial figure. | Known as one of South Africa's most famous anti-apartheid activists, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is also a controversial figure. |
| A six-year prison sentence for kidnapping a young activist who was later murdered was suspended on appeal. | A six-year prison sentence for kidnapping a young activist who was later murdered was suspended on appeal. |
| In 2003 she was found guilty on charges of fraud and theft. | In 2003 she was found guilty on charges of fraud and theft. |